Projectile for firearms



Feb. 27, 1923.

E. LUDORF PROJECTILE FOR FIREARMS Filed May 15, 1921 Patented Feb. 27,1923.

Nl'l'ED STATES ERN'ST LUDORF, or BERNIE, SWITZERLAND.

PROJECTILE FOR FIREARMS.

Application filed May 13,

To all whom it mag concern:

Be it known that I, ERNST LUDORF, a citizen of the German Republic,residing at Berne, Eflingerstrasse No. 6 Switzerland, have invented newand useful mprovements in Projectiles for Firearms, of which thefollowing is a description.

The present invention relates to a pro]ec tile which contains the wholeor part of its charge and which may be used for hand weapons, machineguns, etc.

The object of the invention is to provide a projectile which containsthe maximum charge in a comparatively small space and which is simple inconstruction and absolutely reliable in use.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view this invention consists insuch novel features of construction, combination and arrangement ofparts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be had to theaccompanying drawings wherein like characters designate like andcorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

.Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5 is each a longitudinal section through a form ofthe new projectile.

Fig. 3 shows a modified construction of the projectile shown in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing 1 denotes the shell of hard metal such as steeldesigned for penetration and terminating in an elon ated point 2 ofapproximately parabolic shape. \Vithin the shell 1 there is a core 3 ofsoft metal, a disk 10 and the explosive material 9 forming thepropelling charge of the projectile. The inner wall 8 of the shell istapering, the thickness of the wall is about equal to the thickness ofthe head 2 and diminishes gradually toward the hind end of the shell 1.At the hind end the shell is closed by a bottom 1.1 made of thin sheetmetal with low melting point of celluloid, impregnated paper or similarmaterial which is easily ignited. The bottom is joined to the shell 1 bysuitable means; it may be pressed into a collar 4 which serves as adriving band. The collar becomes molded into the rifiing of the barrelas soon as ignition begins. Between the bottom 11 and the disk 10 a rod13 is provided running in the centre line of the projectile andconsisting of hard explosive material. The

1921. Serial No. 469,276.

rod 13 has a central bore 12 and carries at its end adjacent the bottom11 the primer 14. The space between the rod 13 and the shell is filledwith loosely packed explosive materlal. If the firing pin of the gunstrikes the primer 14 ignition of the propelling charge takes place. Thebore 12 facilitates the rapid consummation of the charge. The rod 13offers sufficient resistance to the firing pin to ensure the ignition ofthe primer.

In Fig. 2 a modified construction is shown which differs from that shownin Fig. 1 in that the whole propelling charge 15 forms one solid bodyfitting the hollow of the shell exactly. The body 15 is provided withseveral bores 16 which facilitate the rapid con: summation of thepropelling charge.

The body may be built up of a number of perforated disks.

To increase the propelling charge without increasing the size of theshell 1 the bottom may be made to form a cap 17 of celluloid, paper,etc. The cap 17 covers the end of the propelling charge projecting fromthe shell 1 and carries at its inner side the primer 19. The cap 17isfixed to the shell 1 by means of a flange engaging the collar 4.

In Fig. 4 another form is shown in which the central rod 20 is movablyarranged in the centre of the shell 1. The rod 20 which consists of hardexplosive matter and which constitutes part of the propelling charge isheld by bottom 11 and carries at its inner end the primer which is atsome distance of a projection 21 of the disk 10. The space around therod 20 which consists of explosive material is filled with looselypacked explosive material. If the firing pin of the gun strikes thecentre of the bottom .11 the rod 20 is displaced in axial direction andstrikes against the projection 21 igniting thereby the primer.

As shown in Fig. 5 the rod 20 may be placed in the bore of the body 15of hard explosive material fitting the shell 1. The primer is againplaced at the inner end of the rod 20 opposite to the projection 21. T oprevent untimely ignition the rod 20 may be held not only by the bottombut by sliding springs or some braking device preventing accidentaldisplacement of the rod 20 within the shell. The shell 1 is provided atits fore portion with a band 22', replacing the. collar 4 at the hindend of the shell.

The parts 15 and 20 may beprovided with igniting material which when theparts 15, 2O rub on each other ignites. The primer however, may be madeof any suitable known material.

If ignition starts in the interior of the shell the propelling charge ismore rapidly consummated and its effect is considerably increased.

I wish to point out that I do not limit my invention to the particularconstruction as described, as various details of construction may bevaried without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I wish to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A projectile having a headand a shell for an explosive charge, said head and said shell having anintegral continuous wall extending from the point of the head to therear end of the shell, and said head being hollow and being providedwith a core.

rear end of the shell, said head being 1101- low and being provided witha core, a disc in said shell at the base of said core, said disc havinga projection, and said shell having a rod extending through the chargechamber from the base of the shell to the disc, and arranged with itsfront end opposite said projection.

In Witness whereof I ailix my signature.

, ERNST LUDORF.

